A group of migrants in South Africa, who have lived in the country for years, are being turned away from public health facilities by activists claiming they are not citizens. The movement, called Operation Dudula, says that foreigners must be prioritised over local residents when it comes to access to healthcare.
The clinic, which is located just north of Johannesburg, has become a frontline in the battle between those who want to deny migrants access to public services and those who claim this is an infringement on their human rights. The activists have been picketing at the entrance, checking identity cards before allowing anyone into the facility. Those without South African ID books are turned away.
For one migrant, Sicelokuhle Moyo, who has lived in South Africa since 2006, going to the clinic was a normal part of her daily routine. But this time, she found that the clinic had become off-limits due to Operation Dudula's presence. She stated that the activists demanded that everyone produce their documents before being allowed inside and that when she said she had a passport they refused to let her in.
Another migrant, Tendai Musvava, from Mozambique, was waiting at the same clinic with her young children. Despite having a passport, she too was turned away due to not possessing a South African ID book. "I feel like they do what they want because it's their country," she stated, describing how she felt after being rejected.
Mpho Lakaje reported that Operation Dudula's campaign is not new and has started as a local action in 2022 but had spread out to other parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. The group claims that foreigners are taking up space and resources at public clinics and hospitals, while many South Africans struggle with poverty and unemployment.
However, Operation Dudula's actions have been met with opposition from some South Africans who welcome the movement as a way to fight back against what they perceive as an influx of migrants into their communities. One resident said that having foreign nationals stopped using the clinic had improved access for locals.
The situation highlights how xenophobia and anti-migrant sentiment is becoming increasingly entrenched in South Africa, with many activists using force to make their point. While some argue that foreigners are taking up resources at public clinics and hospitals, others claim that the situation is being blown out of proportion and that migrants have just as much a right to access healthcare as anyone else.
Operation Dudula's methods have been condemned by several major political parties in South Africa, including the Economic Freedom Fighters and the Democratic Alliance. However, despite the efforts of government officials to crack down on their activities, Operation Dudula appears to be emboldened and is turning its attention to public schools as part of a campaign to fight illegal immigration.
The crisis highlights how South Africans are increasingly taking the law into their own hands, with many communities refusing to accept migrants. As the situation escalates, it raises questions about what it means to be a citizen in South Africa and whether foreigners have the same rights as locals when it comes to accessing public services such as healthcare.
The clinic, which is located just north of Johannesburg, has become a frontline in the battle between those who want to deny migrants access to public services and those who claim this is an infringement on their human rights. The activists have been picketing at the entrance, checking identity cards before allowing anyone into the facility. Those without South African ID books are turned away.
For one migrant, Sicelokuhle Moyo, who has lived in South Africa since 2006, going to the clinic was a normal part of her daily routine. But this time, she found that the clinic had become off-limits due to Operation Dudula's presence. She stated that the activists demanded that everyone produce their documents before being allowed inside and that when she said she had a passport they refused to let her in.
Another migrant, Tendai Musvava, from Mozambique, was waiting at the same clinic with her young children. Despite having a passport, she too was turned away due to not possessing a South African ID book. "I feel like they do what they want because it's their country," she stated, describing how she felt after being rejected.
Mpho Lakaje reported that Operation Dudula's campaign is not new and has started as a local action in 2022 but had spread out to other parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. The group claims that foreigners are taking up space and resources at public clinics and hospitals, while many South Africans struggle with poverty and unemployment.
However, Operation Dudula's actions have been met with opposition from some South Africans who welcome the movement as a way to fight back against what they perceive as an influx of migrants into their communities. One resident said that having foreign nationals stopped using the clinic had improved access for locals.
The situation highlights how xenophobia and anti-migrant sentiment is becoming increasingly entrenched in South Africa, with many activists using force to make their point. While some argue that foreigners are taking up resources at public clinics and hospitals, others claim that the situation is being blown out of proportion and that migrants have just as much a right to access healthcare as anyone else.
Operation Dudula's methods have been condemned by several major political parties in South Africa, including the Economic Freedom Fighters and the Democratic Alliance. However, despite the efforts of government officials to crack down on their activities, Operation Dudula appears to be emboldened and is turning its attention to public schools as part of a campaign to fight illegal immigration.
The crisis highlights how South Africans are increasingly taking the law into their own hands, with many communities refusing to accept migrants. As the situation escalates, it raises questions about what it means to be a citizen in South Africa and whether foreigners have the same rights as locals when it comes to accessing public services such as healthcare.
This is getting out of hand! Like, what's next? Are they gonna turn people away from hospitals because their mom's passport ain't from SA? 
I'm so worried about Sicelokuhle and Tendai and all the other migrants who are being turned away like they're some kinda unwanted guest. It's not just about resources, it's about basic human rights! 
If we start denying people healthcare because of their ID status, what's next? Are they gonna deny them food or water too? 
This is so messed up and I'm literally shaking my head in frustration 
what's going on here is fml. These activists are using force & intimidation to deny ppl basic human rights... like access to healthcare 
. And btw, who's making these ID books so hard to get in the first place? 
This whole Operation Dudula situation is really concerning... It's like they're creating this binary where either you're a local or you're not, but what about people who've been living here for years? Like Sicelokuhle Moyo has been in South Africa since 2006 and she's still being turned away from the clinic. That's some serious marginalization going on... 
and I was like "wait, didn't we already talk about this"? 
It seems like Operation Dudula is just another example of how xenophobia is becoming normalized in SA 
. I mean, I get that there are concerns about resource allocation, but turning away people who have lived in the country for years just because they don't have a SA ID book? That's just not right 
. And now this? It's like, what even is the logic behind it all? 
Are we really going to let people's lives be dictated by their citizenship status? I don't think so 
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And what's wrong with them wanting to help their fellow humans in need? Shouldn't we be working together as communities, not turning our backs on each other?
I'm all for people wanting to address the issue of migration, but this isn't the way to do it. We need to find a more constructive solution that doesn't involve harming or excluding others.
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. It's just not right.
. What if they can't afford to get one? Or what if it takes them months to sort out their paperwork? It's not that simple.
And what about all the people who actually need medical attention? Like, Sicelokuhle was there for years and now she gets turned away because of some activist group's rules 
. Can't we all just try to get along and help each other out? 
... anyway, what's going on with these activists in South Africa? Like, shouldn't everyone have access to healthcare no matter where they're from? I mean, it's not like they're just gonna leave and let the locals deal with it. That just doesn't seem right to me 
... no matter where we're from or what our situation is. That's the kind of world I want to live in, not one where people are being picked on for not having the right papers 
. And what about those migrants who have been living in South Africa for years? Do they really not deserve access to healthcare just because of their immigration status? 
. We need to stand together and say that everyone, regardless of nationality, deserves equal access to public services. This isn't about being anti-immigrant, it's about being anti-inequality 
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. We need to find ways to address the root causes of poverty and unemployment that are driving people to migrate in the first place, rather than scapegoating foreigners for our problems. It's time for us to come together as a nation and find common ground on this issue